Pearson, Georgetown University partner with Telangana at WEF for AI skilling, healthcare research

Davos: The Telangana State government signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 with Pearson, Georgetown University, and the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC).

The joint venture is aimed at transforming the state into a hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI) skilling, healthcare research and startup growth, the government said in a statement.

Building a future-ready workforce with Pearson

The delegation signed a partnership with the UK-based education giant, Pearson.

Under this agreement, Pearson will expand its footprint in Telangana by supporting the Global AI Academy, a key component of the newly launched Telangana AI Innovation Hub (TAIH), also known as Aikam.

Pearson will bring its world-renowned expertise to:

- Curriculum Design: Developing cutting-edge coursework tailored for the AI age.

- Credentialing: Providing globally recognised certifications to ensure Telangana’s youth are competitive on the international stage.

- Assessment Frameworks: Implementing rigorous standards to evaluate and validate AI expertise.

“Telangana envisions becoming the state of future-ready skilled talent by training our youth in AI,” said Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, highlighting the state’s ‘execution-first’ approach.

Revolutionising Healthcare with AI CoLab

The State government also secured a collaboration with Georgetown University’s AI CoLab (Collaborative Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Research and Education). This partnership aims to bridge the gap between technology and medicine through:

- Applied Research: Focusing on public health, life sciences and clinical data science.

- Capacity Building: Creating a robust talent pipeline specifically for the healthcare sector.

Minister for IT and Industries, D Sridhar Babu, noted that these partnerships are vital components of the state’s plan to build a dedicated AI City in Hyderabad, which is designed to be the epicentre of global AI innovation.

Global Reach: Dubai and the Startup Corridor

Expanding beyond skilling and research, Telangana signed an MoU with the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC). This pact is designed to create a ‘startup corridor’ between Hyderabad and Dubai, offering entrepreneurs in both regions:

Market Exposure: Access to international ecosystems and investment networks.

Collaborative Events: Joint conferences to foster cross-border innovation.

Fast-tracking implementation

To ensure these projects move from paper to practice, special chief secretary Sanjay Kumar (ITE&C, Industries) confirmed that the government will provide necessary clearances with high priority.

The state’s infrastructure, including its hosting of major ‘Big Tech’ firms, provides the foundational strength for these new global partnerships.